Bulls fall agonisingly short in Glasgow

The Vodacom Bulls lost a thrilling Investec Champions Cup last-16 clash to the Glasgow Warriors in torrential conditions at Scotstoun Stadium.

Bulls replacement flank Marco van Staden’s late try made it a one-point game, but Glasgow then slotted a penalty goal to secure a 25-21 win.

Franco Smith’s Warriors will host Toulon – who beat the Stormers 28-27 earlier in the day – in next weekend’s quarter-finals.

REPORT: Toulon break Stormers’ hearts

The Bulls dominated the early exchanges of the match, played in driving rain but with the wind at their backs.

The early pressure eventually told as Glasgow transgressed and Springbok flyhalf Handré Pollard kicked a simple penalty goal.

Glasgow then started hitting their stride and a searing break by centre Stafford McDowall was finished off by lock Max Williamson after 18 minutes. Flyhalf Dan Lancaster slotted the conversion.

WATCH: Ref made dreadful decisions – Mallett

The Bulls, aided by a dominant scrum, clawed their way back and scored a brilliant team try through hooker Johan Grobbelaar in the corner to edge ahead 8-7.

The red scrum cap goes over in the corner

Grobbies gets the first try for the Bulls in Glasgow

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Pollard then slotted his second penalty goal as Glasgow infringed under pressure in their 22.

However, a costly Bulls error from the restart gave Glasgow a look-in and No 8 Jack Dempsey powered over from a lineout maul to edge the hosts back ahead.

On the stroke of half-time, Pollard hit a long-range penalty goal for a 14-12 lead.

PLAY: Investec Champions Cup game centre

The second half was a real arm wrestle.

From a Bulls attack on the Glasgow tryline, the home side broke out and after sustained pressure, prop Patrick Schickerling burrowed over.

Tempers frayed in the final quarter and the Bulls conceded several needless penalties. Glasgow sensed an opening and a multi-phase attack saw McDowall cross in the corner for a 22-14 lead.

But the Bulls were not done and a piece of Canan Moodie magic resulted in Van Staden’s try. Fullback David Kriel slotted the conversion and it was a one-point game with two minutes left.

But Glasgow finished the match deep in Bulls territory, with replacement flyhalf Adam Hastings kicking a penalty goal.

The Bulls now turn their attention back to the Vodacom URC and will face the Dragons in Newport on 17 April.

GLASGOW – Tries: Max Williamson, Jack Dempsey, Patrick Schickerling, Stafford McDowall. Conversion: Dan Lancaster. Penalty: Adam Hastings.
BULLS – Tries: Johan Grobbelaar, Marco van Staden. Conversion: David Kriel. Penalties: Handré Pollard (3).

Photo: Bryan Keane/INPHO

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NAIROBI, Kenya, April 4, 2026 — On a sun-drenched Saturday afternoon at the Nyayo National Stadium, Elizabeth Mideva produced a masterclass in clinical finishing to lead Ulinzi Starlets to a dominant 3-1 victory over five-time Women’s Premier League champions Vihiga Queens.

The result sends the military side to the top of the FKF Women’s Premier League table, at least temporarily, ahead of the evening kickoff.

The match began with high intensity, and it took only 15 minutes for Ulinzi to break the deadlock. Elizabeth Mideva opened her account for the day, slotting home to give the Starlets a 1-0 lead.

Ulinzi continued to press their advantage, and in the 38th minute, Mideva doubled the lead with a composed finish to bag her brace.

Vihiga Queens, known for their resilience, fought back just before the interval. In the 44th minute, Airin Madalina pulled one back for the champions, making it 2-1 and momentarily shifting the momentum.

However, Mideva had the final say of the half. One minute into stoppage time, she completed her hat-trick, restoring the two-goal cushion and sending Ulinzi into the break with a commanding 3-1 lead.

The second half saw both technical benches turn to their substitutes to influence the game.

Fifteen minutes into the half, Vihiga made a number of changes in an attempt to spark an offensive comeback.

Both sides later opted for double substitutions, with Ulinzi looking to lock down the midfield and Vihiga throwing everything forward.

Despite the fresh legs and two minutes of added time at the death, the Ulinzi defense held firm.

As the final whistle blew, Elizabeth Mideva rightfully walked away with the match ball, her three goals securing a massive statement win for the Starlets.

With this victory, Ulinzi Starlets officially move to the top of the FKF WPL table.

However, their stay at the summit depends entirely on the outcome of the second half of the Nyayo double-header.

Up next, Kenya Police Bullets take on Kibera Soccer Women. The stakes are crystal clear, if the Police Bullets secure a win, they will leapfrog Ulinzi to reclaim their position at the pinnacle of the league.

The post Mideva Hat-trick Propels Ulinzi Starlets to the Summit as Vihiga Queens Fall at Nyayo appeared first on Capital Sports.

Nick Mallett slammed referee Christophe Ridley after the Stormers’ controversial Investec Champions Cup last-16 loss to Toulon.

REPORT: Toulon break Stormers’ hearts

“Dreadful decision from the referee”

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— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) April 4, 2026

The post Watch: Ref made dreadful decisions – Mallett appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

Stormers coach John Dobson rued missed opportunities and a controversial late decision after his side’s agonising 28-27 Investec Champions Cup last-16 defeat at the Stade Mayol.

Despite trailing late, the Stormers fought their way back into contention, only to be denied at the death – a moment that left Dobson visibly frustrated.

“I was very impressed with the fight. We needed to score twice with eight minutes to go, and we should never have been in that position,” he said.

REPORT: Toulon break Stormers’ hearts

A yellow card and a penalty from a cynical infringement at the maul awarded to the Stormers by referee Christophe Ridley, rather than a penalty try, left many stunned and confused.

The decisive flashpoint, however, came in the closing stages, when the visitors were held up over the line following a TMO review – a call Dobson believes should have gone the other way.

“We had to adapt to some EPCR interpretations. In the URC – which is obviously our day job – when you run into the maul like that and it gets brought down, it’s clearly a penalty try. But not in the EPCR.

“Obviously a bit frustrated at the end there. Once it goes to the TMO then maybe you can’t see the grounding and the on-field decision for some reason is ‘no try’.

“What’s frustrating for us is that [Toulon flank Charles] Ollivan is clearly inside the field of play on the ground. I believe Adré [Smith] got it down but I don’t understand why it wasn’t awarded. A very frustrating way for the game to end.”

WATCH: Ref made dreadful decisions – Mallett

While the Stormers were left gutted, Dobson took encouragement from the character his side showed at one of Europe’s toughest venues.

“We would’ve loved to have won this game at one of the cathedrals of rugby, but we were maybe not quite good enough in some areas,” he said.

“We didn’t get our usual scrum dominance and it just seemed to be a bit more of a mess. But our players mustn’t lose heart – it was still a very good performance. Now we have to focus on the URC.”

PLAY: Investec Champions Cup game centre

The second-placed Stormers face Connacht, Glasgow (both home), Ulster and Cardiff (both away) in their last four league matches of the URC.

Photo: Federico Pestellini/INPHO

The post Dobbo fumes over ‘frustrating’ ref calls appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

Toulon held on for a nail-biting 28-27 win over the Stormers in their Champions Cup round of 16 match at Stade Mayol on Saturday, kicking the Cape side out of the tournament.

The French giants dominated possession and territory for most of the game, but could not put themselves out of reach of the visitors, who took the lead twice.

The game went to the death, and a TMO decision on a possible Stormers try at the end found no evidence of grounding, bringing a thrilling encounter to a close.

Toulon will face the winners of the match between the Glasgow Warriors and the Bulls in their quarter-final.

Neck and neck

Toulon showed intent from the start. After being held up in the eighth minute, scrumhalf Ben White ultimately scored a minute later, linking on the wing with Gaël Dréan before running under the posts. Marius Domon converted to make it 7-0.

Flyhalf Jurie Matthee put the first points on the board for the Stormers with a penalty kick in the 20th minute. The visitors then took the lead when lock Adré Smith slipped two tackles to score a try in the 24th minute. Matthee’s conversion made it 10-7.

Dréan retook the lead for Toulon with a try out wide, side-stepping Cobus Reinach before scoring. Thomas Albornoz’s conversion made it 14-10 after 30 minutes.

A Matthee penalty five minutes later reduced the deficit to one point. Neither side were able to capitalise on opportunities until the half-time whistle blew at 14-13 to Toulon.

Toulon hang on in the second half

The Stormers were held up in the 46th minute. Coach John Dobson brought on much of the bench six minutes later.

Replacement flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu immediately made an impact with a chip over the defence, Evan Roos crashing over after a few drives in the 54th minute. Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s conversion gave them a 20-14 lead.

But Toulon got one back five minutes later when Antoine Frisch found a gap to score. Albornoz’s conversion gave the French side a 21-20 lead.

Toulon extended that lead when wing Setariki Tuicuvu scored an overlap try in the 66th minute. Albornoz’s conversion gave them an eight-point lead.

The Stormers appeared to have scored from a drive, but prop Ntuthuko Mchunu lost the ball while grounding eight minutes from time.

A Stormers attacking maul was collapsed just before the Toulon try line, resulting in a yellow card for Matthias Halagahu, though it appeared the Stormers should have received a penalty try.

Another Stormers maul went over the line in the 74th minute but the ball was held up.

They finally scored in the 78th minute with Imad Khan dotting down after a Feinberg-Mngomezulu break. The latter’s conversion reduced the deficit to 28-27.

The Stormers stole possession in the final minute, but lost it again. However, with 19 seconds left the TMO found there was head contact on Wandisile Simelane, the Stormers winning a penalty and Ma’a Nonu receiving a yellow card.

The Stormers went for a lineout and after many drives, crashed over the line. The referee thought the ball was held up, and the TMO could not find evidence of grounding.

Scorers

Stormers: Tries – Adré Smith, Evan Roos, Imad Khan. Conversions – Jurie Matthee 1/1, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu 2/2. Penalties – Matthee 2/2.

Toulon: Tries – Ben White, Gaël Dréan, Antoine Frisch, Setariki Tuicuvu. Conversions – Marius Domon 1/1, Thomas Albornoz 3/3. Penalties – Albornoz 0/1.